Venetian blind construction



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Apr l2, 193%. H. K. LoRx-:NTZEN VENETIAN BLIND CONSTRUCTION Filed July 10 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v/M fs ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

Hans K. Lorentzen, Montclair, N. J.

Application July 10, 1936, Serial No. 89,885

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian blinds and to similar structures.

Venetian blinds generally are made up in part of a tilt bar, a bottom bar, and ladder-like web- 5 bing secured between the two bars and serving as support for intermediate slats. Heretofore, it has been customary to secure the ends of the webbing permanently to the two bars. Diculties have been encountered in such practice, since extreme care is necessary to so secure the ends of the webbing to the two bars that the surfaces of the two bars and the surfaces of the slats will be in parallelism when the bars and the slats are in horizontal planes. Moreover, it has been customary to secure the upper ends of the webbing to the top surface of the tilt bar and the other ends of the webbing to the bottom surface of the bottom bar. Since these bars are of relatively considerable thickness and have rounded edges ,0 over which expanses of the webbing pass, it follows that; when the bars' are tilted, inequalities in the length of the vertical expenses of the webhing result and consequently it will be found that the bars and the slats, if in parallelism when ..5 horizontal, are moved out of parallelism when tilted.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure as before described, in which the ends of the webbing are adjustably secured to both the tilt bar and the bottom bar.

Another object of the invention is to provide fastening means adapted to be secured to the two bars to permit such adjustability of the webbing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a :z5 structure as before described, in which the upper ends of the webbing are adjustably secured to the tilt bar in such fashion that the vertical expanses of the webbing are spaced from the edges of the tilt bar.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a structure as before described, in which attaching means or members are seated in recesses in the lower surface of the bottom bar for adjustably securing the lower ends of the webbing to the bottom bar in such fashion that inequalities in the space between the edges of the bottom bar and the intermediate slats are eliminated when the bottom bar and the intermediate slats are tilted.

A further object of the invention is to provide attaching members vto be seated in recesses in the lower surface of the bottom barsuch attaching members being so formed and shaped as to be vincluded substantially wholly within such recesses.

vvide attaching members for a tilt bar, such members being so constructed as not to interfere with the action of the elevator cords when the tilt bar is tilted.

Other objects, features and advantages of..the invention will become apparent by reference to the following` detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a bottom 10 bar with one form of webbing securing means attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the arrangement 15 shown in l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clip plate. having clips pivotally secured between the side walls thereof, such device being used in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a fragment of the tiltbar showing the preferred form of web attaching means secured thereto;`

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially on the line 6`6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a corner view of a fragment of the tilt bar showing a modified form of web attaching means secured thereto;

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an edge view of a still further modication of'tilt bar web attaching means;`

Fig. 10 .is a section taken substantially on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the modi- 35 fied form of bottom bar web attaching means;

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line I2-i2 of Fig. 11;`

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the device shown in Fig. 40

Fig. 14 is a perspective form of the spacer plate and locking member utilized in the arrangement of Figs. 11 to13, inclusive;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 11 of a still further embodiment of the invention; .45

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section of a completed blind having embodiments of the invention attached thereto; and 50 Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate modifications.

Referring now to the drawings, a Venetian blind is made up in part particularly as shown in Fig. 17, wherein the construction consists of a tilt bar I0, a bottom bar Il, ladder-like webbing 55 I2, and an elevator cord, Il. The webbing I2 is adjustably secured to both the tilt bar I and the bottom bar I. The mechanism for securing the adjustment is represented generally at I5 in connection with the tilt bar, and generally at I6 in connection with the bottom bar. 'I'he webbing I2 is provided with cross straps I1 serving to support intermediate slats I8 through which the elevator cord passes; such cord also passing through the tilt bar I0 and through the bottom bar The tilt bar I0, vshown more clearly in Figs. 5 and l6, is routed to provide slots I9 extending from a central aperture 20, through which the elevator cord I4 passes, to a pointclose to the lateral edges of the bar. The purpose of such slots is to permit the elevator cord to remain in substantially straight line position, even when the bar III is tilted.

The preferred means for ladjustably securing the upper ends of the webbing I6 to the tilt bar is shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. Such means comprises two similarly shaped members engaged generally at 25. Each. member is made from a sheet of relatively thin metal, formed to have a flat portion 26 to rest on the nat top of the tilt bar and to have a curved portion 21 to rest against a part of the curved edge of the tilt bar. bisected by a slot 26 positioned to be substantially in alignment with the routed slot I9 of the bar. Suitable apertures may be provided in the opposite portions of the flat part 26 for the passage of screwsv 23 which serve to secure the member 25 to the tilt bar. Extending outwardly from the curved part-21 of the member 25 are two ears 29 between which is pivotally secured a clip member 3|). This member as shown in the drawings is/of substantially modified L-shape for purposes to be explained later. The shorter expanse of the member 3|! indicated at 3| has the free edge thereof provided with saw teeth to aid in retaining the webbing in place.

The operation and use of this arrangement is substantially as follows: An end of the webbing I2 is passed upwardly outside of the clip member 30 and then downwardly against the curved part 21 of the member 25. When properly adjusted the end of the webbing can be locked in place by moving the clip member to the position shown in Fig. 6, wherein the roughened edge of the part 3| grips the webbing between such edge and the portion 21 to prevent withdrawal thereof. In this position the longer part of the clip 30 has its end resting against the edge of the tilt bar. Due to this arrangement as will be apparent from the drawings, the vertically extending expanse of the webbing I2 is spaced from the curved edge of the tilt bar so that when this bar is tilted, the vertical expanse actually depends from the bend ofthe clip and does not pass around the curved edge of the bar as is customary in conventional constructions. The advantage of such arrangement residesin the fact that the opposite vertical expanses of the webbing are more equally maintained in parallelism throughout theirlength so that an intermediate slat which is parallel to the tilt bar in a horizontal position thereof, remains substantially parallel to the tilt bar, even when this bar is tilted. Moreover, since any stress applied to the webbing by the weight ofV the bottom bar and the intermediate bars is communicated to the locking arrangement in a manner tending to press the longer end of the clip more rmly against the edge of the tilt bar. Such stress serves to enhance the locking The at part 26 of the member 25 is effect of the clip. Since the fiat part 26 of the member 25 is bisected by a slot, it follows that the member 25 does not interfere with the maintenance of substantially straight line condition of the elevator cord I4 at any position of the tilt bar. Since the provision of the two locking arrangements on a tilt bar permits of quick adjustment of the webbing relative to the tilt bar and the locking thereof to the tilt bar, it follows that the webbing can be quickly adjusted so that the cross straps thereof lare definitely positioned in parallelism with the lower surface of the tilt bar when the parts are horizontal.

Alternative locking arrangements are shown in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive. In Figs. 7 and 8 the arrangement comprises a member |25 having a flat portion |26 bisected by a slot |26 and a curved portion |21 resting against the edge of the bar. 'I'his member |25 is secured to the bar lby screws |28 in the same manner previously described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6. The portion |21 has an extension bent back to provide a bottom part and an upstanding wall part |36. A slot |31 is provided in this wall part near the top thereof. Two ear portions |38 extend outwardly from the curved portion |21, and a blade member |39 is pivotally secured to one of these end portions. The other end portion has a detent or aperture |40 therein, in which can be seated a knob |4I near the end of the blade.

The use in operation of this modification is as follows: The end of a webbing ||2 is inserted through the slot |31 from the exterior of the member |36 while the blade |39 is in elevated position. When the desired amount of the webbing has been passed through the slot, and over the top of the tilt bar, the webbing can be locked in place by moving the blade |39 about its pivotal connectionuntil the webbing is wedged in position as shown in Fig. 8. The blade is maintained in position partly by the engagement of thel knob III with the recess or detent |60. 'I'his arrangement permits of quick assembly and yquick adjustment of the webbing relative to the tilt bar for the same purposes previouslydescrlbed.

'I'he modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10 comprises a member 225, the flat top portion 226 of which is formed in the same manner as that shown in the two previous embodiments. The curved portion 221 has an extension formed with a bottom 226 and with an upstanding part 229. A recess 230 is provided in the bottom part 223, and the upper edge of the portion 229 is roughened as indicated at 23|. A substantially U- shaped blade 239 is pivotally secured Ato the member 225, as shown, in position to cause the parts thereof to extend on each side of the upstanding portion 229.`

The use and operation of this modication is substantially as follows: The end of a webbing 2| 2 is passed downwardly in the space between the portions 221 and 229 (while the blade is elevated) with the actual end of the webbing extending through the slot 230, if necessary. When the webbing has been properly adjusted it may be locked in place by pressing the plate downwardly. Such plate assumes the position of Fig. 10, at which time the webbing is effectively locked against Withdrawal. This modification also permits easy adjustment and quick attachment of the ends of the ladder-like webbing to the tilt bar.

In order that the lower ends of the webbing can be easily attached to the bottom bar and easily adjusted so that the bottom bar is in parallellsm with the intermediate slats and with the top bar, use may be made of any of the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, or Figs. 11 to 16, inclusive. The preferred form of this arrangement is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, wherein the bottom bar II has a recess cut in the under surface thereof substantially symmetrically disposed relative to the aperture 45 through which the elevator cord I4 passes. A part of the attaching mechanism comprises a ilat plate 46 adapted to rest against the flat bottom wall of the bar recess. In the construction shown plate 46 is provided with three apertures, 41, 40 and 46. One of the apertures, 46 or 49, is provided for the passage of a screw 50 which fastens the plate in the recess. The central aperture 41 is aligned with the aperture 45 for the passage of the elevator cord I4. 'I'he third aperture is positioned in alignment with a hole II in the tilt bar, which hole serves to receive the end of the double-back elevator cord I4. As shown in Fig. 2, preferably a lsleeve of metal or some other inflexible material surrounds the end of the cord so that it cannot be withdrawn from the hole by an upward force exerted on the main part of the cord I4.

The plate 46 has opposite side walls- 62 dimensioned and shaped to ilt against the side walls of the bar recess so that the outer edges of the walls 52 are substantially flushed with the bottom of the bar and with the curved edges thereof. Pivotally secured between the walls 52 are two clip members 54. These clip members are of substantially Z-shape with one edge of each thereof roughened or provided with saw teeth, as shown at 55. 'I'he remaining part of the locking arrangement comprises a locking plate 56, the major portion of which is fiat, as shown, with the end portions of substantially Z-shape, as shown at 51.

The operation and use of this attaching construction is substantially as follows: Assuming that the locking plate 56 has been disengaged from the arrangement, the ends of the webbing I2 may be secured in place by introducing them between the roughened edges 55 of the clips 54 and the plate portion 46. When the ends of the webbing have been properly adjusted so that the bottom bar is parallel to the intermediate slats and the tilt bar, the webbing can be locked in place by pivotally moving the clips into the .position shown in Fig. l, at which time the roughened edges grip the webbing. Accidental unlocking of the` clips can then be precluded by attaching the locking plate 56. The material of this plate, while preferably of metal, is made of some material possessing the desired degree of resiliency. Due to this resiliency it is possible to snap the ends 51 of the plate 56 into the position shown in Fig. l, wherein portions of the ends 51 rest against the expanses of the clips 54 having the roughened ends 55. All of the parts passage of attaching screws |50.

in parallelism to the intermediate slats andthe tilt bar. Moreover, since the attaching mechanism is located in a recess in the bottom bar, it follows that the vertical expanse of webbing on each side of the bottom bar actually starts closer to the mid section of the bar edges so that when the bottom bar is tilted, the tendency of the webbing `to be wrapped around one edge while relieved from the other edge is to a large extent overcome. Parallelism between the bottom bar and the intermediate slats in all positions thereof is thereby more truly maintained.

In the modication shown in Figs. ll to 14, inclusive, provision has been made for compensating /for variations in width of bottom bars, so that one construction can be utilized for bars of various width. In this embodiment the bottom bar III again is provided with a recess in the lower surface as before explained. 'Ihe bar is apertured as at |45 for the passage of the elevator cord I I4. Instead of a single plate 46, use is made of two plate members |46 of similar shape and configuration. These plates are apertured for the As shown in Fig. 11, the plates when in position have their inner ends spaced apart so that the doubled-back end of the cord ||4v can be introduced into a hole in the bottom bar without passing through apertures in a metallic plate.

Since the two complemental portions including plates |46 are identical in construction, description of one thereof will sutllce. The plate |46 has side flanges |52, between which ispivotally secured a clip member |54 of substantially Z-shape, being similar to the clip 54. An auxiliary or spacer plate |60 is provided in this arrangement, such plate having two aligned slots I6| therein. Instead of using a single locking plate 56. use is made of two plates |56, each of which has an end portion |51 of substantiallyZ-shape. The inner edge of the plate |56 has an angularly extending tongue I62.

The operation and use of this arrangement is substantially as follows: The two plates |46 are fastened against the bottom wall of the recess with the outer edge of the plate aligned with the recess extremity in the bottom bar edge. The ends of the webbing I2 may then be locked in place in the same manner as shown in Fig. l, such locking being illustrated clearly in Fig. 11. The two clips may then be locked against accidental displacement by positioning the spacer plate |60 against the upstanding ends of the clips, as shown, after which the two plates |56 may be assembled. This assembly is accomplished by passing the angular ear |62 through one of the slots |6I into engagement with the upstanding end of a clip |54. The outer end |51 of the plate |56 may then be snapped over the downwardly extending end portion of the clip to lock the plate in position. This arrangement has the advantage of being adaptable for use with bottom bars of various widths, since the parts thereof are so made as to permit the assembly thereof and the locking thereof in any of a number of positions. The locking plates |56 are dimensioned entirely in proportion to the clips |54, and since the slots |6| are of considerable length, it follows that locking can be accomplished, within limits, regardless of the distance between the inner ends of the plates |46. Again, quick attachment and adjustability of the webbing relative to the bottom bar can be accomplished.

In the modication shown in Figs. 15 and 16, use is made of plate members 246 similar in all respects to the plates |46 with one exception;

that is, that the side walls 252v thereof have inwardly-extending tongues 210. In this arrangement, the spacer plate |60 and the separate lockingV plates |55 are dispensed with. In their stead use is made of a single flat plate 215 having/detents 216 positioned substantially midway of the Yopposite ends thereof.

A of the clips and over the be'nd near the ends of these clips. When the plate has been properly positioned the detents 216 engage' the bent parts Inl:

of the clips to -resiliently hold the-plate in position. In this arrangement the feature of quickv attachment of the webbing and quick adjustment thereof is again incorporated.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a Venetian blind construction of such character ,that the webbing supporting the intermediate slats can be'quickly attached both to the tilt bar and to the bottom bar and can be quickly adjusted so that the intermediate slats, the tilt'bar and the bottom bar are arranged in parallelism. The construction also .has the advantage of providing anarrangement whereby parallelism of the tilt bar, bottom bar and the intermediate slats issubstantially maintained in all positions of these members. The means by which these resultsA are accomplished are of simple construction, eiiicient in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture. The attachment devices utilized in connection with the tilt bar kalso make possible the use of a tilt bar of less width than the bottom bar, since the vertical -expanses of the webbing are spaced from the edges of the tilt bar. These devices do not interfere with the operation of the elevator cords .as before explained. The attaching devices associated with the bottom bar, in addition to possessing the dvantages of quick attachment and adjustabili y of the webbing, also include the advantage that they can be enclosed or seated entirely within a recess in the bottom bar. Another Iadvantage residing in 'the attaching devices associated with .the bottom bar and particularly with those shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and 11 to 14, inclusive, resides in the ease' with which webbing can be manipulated to separate the locking plates from the clips. Since the locking plates, whether of unitary construction or of plural construction', have Z-shaped end pieces, portions of which rest directly against the webbing, these plates 'can be disengagedV from the clips by exerting a downward force on the we bbing, which force is communicated to the portions of the locking plates contacting with the webbing so that the plates are sprung out of engagement with the clips.

An important advantage residing in the structures used for attaching webbing to the bottom rails of the blinds is found in the arrangement whereby the elevator cordsv are arranged for removal without interference with the web attaching clips. As shown in the drawings, the elevator cords pass through openings in the bottom bar, and the ends of the cords having metallic sleeves therearound are introduced into spaced openings adjacent the through openings. These openings are all positioned between the web attaching clips. Should it be desired at any time to remove any or all of the intermediate slats for cleaning or for any other purpose, it is only necessary to remove the locking plates in the 'bar of a Venetian .blind assembly. In this Figure 18, 300 represents a fragment of a bottom bar, while 30| represents a portion of the plate to be fastened in afrecess in the bottom bar. This plate 30i may a single plate, as shown in Fig. 1, or may apart of apalr of plates, as shown in Figs. 11'.; and 15. The outer edge of the pmt-e aol is tnd up, as shown at 3oz, to

provide a flange s ded a short distance from a part of the attaching clip 304 secured to the sidewalls of the plate 30! in the manner previously described. Inithe use Aof this modification the webbing I2 passesr` over the upstanding edge of thel ange 302 and. is locked in. place by a part of the clip 304.

' In the arrangementV shown in Fig. 19 the parts are similar to those shown in- Fig. 18, with the exception that theflange 302 has been omitted, and in lieu thereof the plate 300' has an integrally formed rib 302' spaced inwardly a short distance from the edge thereof. arrangement it follows that the clip 304'l must be pivotally mounted further from the outer edge than the mounting shown in Fig. 18. Y

The advantages of the vconstructions shown in Figs. 18 and v19 reside in the provision of an ancillary holding means i'orv preventing the web from becoming separated from the plate, such ancillary holding means serving to take part of the strain normally applied 'to the clips. In each of these arrangements the webbing passes over an upstanding member (whether this member be a flange or rib) and is then securelyy held by the clip juxtaposed to the upstanding part. Since the upstanding part serves to relieve `the clip of some of the strain normally present, it follows that the metal used in making the plate and its integral side portions can be made of lighter gaugethan would bepossible if the-upstanding portion should be eliminated.`

It is to be understood that the invention is.

not to be limited to the illustratedembodiments. since it is capable of further modification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims. l

1. A webbing securing device for lattachment wholly within a recess in a bar of a Venetian blind or similar arrangement, said device comprising a flat metallic plate, side walls extending from said plate, a clip pivotally mounted between said sidewalls, and a locking plate resiliently engaging and covering said clip.

2. A webbing securing device for attachment wholly within a recess in a bar of a Venetian blind or similar arrangement, said device com- Aprising a flat metallic plate extending substantially across said bar in said recess, side walls extending from said plate toward the extremi- Due to this Y ties of said bar, a pair of substantially Z-shaped clips pivotally mounted between said side walls shape for resiliently` engaging portions of said clips and for covering said clips.

3. A webbing securing device for attachment wholly within a recess in Ia bar of a Venetian blind or similar arrangement, said device comprising a pair of similarly shaped at plates having side walls, a substantially Z-shaped clip pivotally mounted between the side walls of each plate, and means for locking said clips in -position in which the ends of webbing are secured thereby.

4. A webbing securing device for attachment wholly within a recess in a bar of a Venetian blind or similar arrangement, said device comprising a pair of similarly shaped at plates having side walls, a substantially .z-shaped clip pivotally mounted between the side walls of each plate, means for locking said clips in position in which the ends of webbing are secured there- 20 by, said means being made up of a slotted spacer plate adapted to rest against the inner ends of said clips, and a pair o! plates, each having one end 'of substantially Z-shape, and each having a depending linger at the other end thereof, said z-shaped ends and Asaid ilngex-s being adapted to resiliently engage the outer and inner portions respectively of said clips with the lingers extending through the slots in the spacer plate.

5. A webbing securing device for attachment wholly within a recess in a bar of a Venetian blind or similar arrangement, said device comprising a pair of plates, each having side walls, a substantially Z-shaped clip pivotally mounted between the side walls of each plate, said'side walls being provided with inwardly extending tongues at the edges thereof, and means for locking said clips comprising a at metallic plate insertable under said tongues and over said clips.

HANS K. LORENTZEN. 

